Box-filling machine



No. 607,469. Patented IuIy l9, I898.

' F. H. RICHARDS.

BOX FILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 19, 1897.) (No Model.) 5 SheetsSheet l.

I||r Ir Inventor:

' Witnesses:

No. 607,469. Patented July l9, I898. F. H. RICHARDS.

BOX FILLING MACHINE.

(Applicatioq filed Oct. 19, 1897.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Witnesses: [five/2601":

wyw

THE NpRRIs PETERS ca. PHOTO-UTHOH WASHINGTON, I:v c.

No. 607,469. Patented July l9, I898. F. H. RICHARDS.

BOX FILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 19, 1897.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

In z/eiz tor.-

Witness es.-

8 9 m 97 I u I.- d e t n e t a P S D R A H m D" H F a 6 7 0 6 m N BOX FILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed'Oct. 19, 1897.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

In V612 ton- Witflesses:

Witness es:

F. H. RICHARDS.

BOX FILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 19, 1897.) (No Model.)

Patented July vl9, I898.

5 s hpets sheat 5.

Inventor.-

M ZQM/ w: yonms PETERS co. PHOTO-LITHQ. wAsrymm-ou, 11v 4:

FRANCIS I-I. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNEO'lICU'l.

BOX-FILLING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 607,469, dated July 19, 1898.

Application filed October 19, 1897' To all whom it may concern:

Beitknown that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Box- Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to box-filling machines, and especially to a machine adapted for automatically filling boxes with predetermined amounts of material and for removing such boxes automatically as soon as they are filled, the apparatus forming a combined box filling and transferring machine for properly advancing the'empty box or boxes into position to receive material from suitable loadsupplying means and-then shifting the filled boxes away from such load-supplying means.

One of the main objects of my present invention is the employment of intermittentlyoperative box-feeders adapted to impart two or more movements to the box or other receptacle to be filled, one of these movements being imparted by a box-advancing feeder movable in one direction to bring the box or boxes under the load-supplying or boxfilling means, while the other movement is effected by a box-shifting feeder operative to move the box in another direction, preferably transverse to that in which it is moved by the boxadvancing feeder.

It should be understood here that the term box wherever it is used is intended to include allforms of vessels or receptacles adapted to receive material and suitable for use in connection with a machine of this type.

In connection with some suitable means, such as that just referred to, for feeding boxes into position to be filled and then shifting the filled boxes out of the way I prefer to make use of devices for preventing the filling of each box unless the box is properly positioned under the spout or filling means from Which it receives its contents, and to employ also stopping and starting means for controlling the movements of the feeding means. Preferably I employ two intermittently-operative box-feeders, one for advancing the box or boxes and the other for shifting them sidewise, and these feeders will usually be alternately operative, the box-advancing feeder Serial No. 655,736. (No model.)

operating to move the box forward while the box-shifting feeder is still and the latter shifting the box sidewise when such box is filled and the box-advancing feeder is stopped.

The machine that I have illustrated in the should usually be capable of fillinga plurality or series of boxes at each operation, I prefer to make use of a plurality of separate filling means or weighing mechanisms, each constructed and operative to weigh out an exact predetermined load of fixed weight and to deliver it to a corresponding box to fill the latter. These means, while they may be separately operative so far as the making up of their loads is concerned, should be so organized relatively to the transferring means that none of themwill discharge its load unless there is a box in position to receive the material, and all of these machines will advantageously be interdependent in operation, so that they will discharge their loads practically simultaneously and so that no load of the series will be emptied if any box of the series to be filled is lacking or is out of its proper position, suitable blocking means being employed for preventing the discharge of these loads until there is a complete series of boxes in place, properly located, one for each filling means or mechanism.

In a machine of this type, where the proper operation of many parts that coact with each other and yet are separately operative so far as some of their functions are concerned depends very largely upon the timing of the movements, and where, also, it is necessary to block or prevent the action of certain parts until the action of certain other parts is completed, it is desirable to employ, for many obvious reasons,automatic electrical controlling devices for properly regulating this timing of the movemen ts,and in the machine illustrated 2 comes herein a veryimportant feature of my invention is the provision of such automatic elee trical controlling means included in proper electric circuits and actingcon 'oii1tly or in suitable groups to prevent premature action of any desired mechanism and to block the action of such mechanism until the completion of the operation of all of the other ele ments upon the proper act-ion of which the movement of such mechanism is dependent.

Having thus described in a general way the essentialfunctions ot' the box lillingand transferring machine constituting the subject-matter of my present invention, I shall reserve for a more detailed description hereinafter the several novel devices or mechanisms embodied in the complete machine.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure l is a front elevation, with parts of the framework broken away, of a box filling and transfm-ring machine, illustrating one embodiment of my present improvements. Fig. 2 is a corresponding end view of the same with parts broken away. Fig. I} is a plan of the box-feeding means employed in the present case for advancing and shifting the empty and filled boxes. Figs. -t and 5 are enlarged details illustrating certain circuit-controllers gov erned by the movements of the box-feeders. Figs. (3 andTare details illustratingacircuiteontrollcr governed by the movement of the poising mechanism of the weighing-machine. Figs. 8, f), and 10 are enlarged details illustrating in side and end. elevation circuit-controlling means governing the movements of tliebex:teeder; and Figs. ll to 15, inclusive, are diagrani matic views illustrating different steps in the operation of the controlling devices governing the movements of the several parts of the machine.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

As before stated, the machine forming the subject-matter of this invention embodies two main parts--viz., box-filling means and box-transferring meansand in connection with these main mechanisms I employ suitable auxiliary and controlling means for regulating the movements ofthe box-tillingand boxtransferring means so that they will. operate in the proper manner.

.lreferably the box-filling means comprises a plurality of separately-opei'ative meehanisms or weighing-machines, six of which are illustrated in. the present case and each of which is desigi'iated in a general way by l As the construction and operation of these machines are well understood in the art, a particular description thereof is not deemed necessary, except in so far as it may be necessary for a clear understanding of the manner in which these machines cooperate with the boxtransferring mechanism.

The box-transfer'ringmechanism embodies as its essential features a pair of alternatelyoperable box-feeders or box-feeding means,

one of which is in the nature ofaboxadvaiu ing feeder and the other of which forms: box-shifting feeder movable transversely to the box-advancing means, so as to shift the box or boxes sidewise after being advanced into position to be tilled. Preferably I make use of two simultaneously-operative box-advancing feeders-such, for ii'ist'anee, as those indicated herein in a general way by A and A. (See Fig. 3.) These two box-advam2ing feeders may be connected for movement in unison bysuitable driving means, which. will be described more particularly hereiuaftin, and each will usually be in the miture of an endless traveling feed-belt, one of which is designated by 2 and the other by 2'. The other bex-teederthat is, the box-shifting femler-may be also in the nature of an endless feed-belt, such as t l, adapted to travel in a path trz'insverse to the path of movenumtof the two feeders A and it, the belt proper ol' the box-shifting feeder being indicated byil.

The main frame on which the weighingmachines and the transferring apparatus-i are carrict'l may be of any suitable type; but in this view I have illustrated at l a suitable base or bed having stant'lartls 5 and 5 rising therefrom and connected at their upper ends by means of a cross-beam o and suitable hop pers orstream-s11pplying means for deliver ingmaterial to the load-reeeivers of tho weiglr ing mechanisms.

Each of the wcighirig-machines is mounted on a support or table, such as that shown at 7, carried between the shit: arms or uprights 5 and 5' and extending from one end oi the machine to the other.

The major portion of the'l)ox-tu'ansferring apparatus is in this case mounted on a table, such as that shown at 8, between the bed -.tand the table '7, supporting the weighinganzv chines.

The weighingmachines F may be supported on the table in any suitable manner and will be arranged in the most convenient way. In this instance the six nntehincs shown are arranged in two rows facing each other, each row containing three machines, and said machines may discharge their contents through discharge-spouts, such as are shown at it) and. 10, the discharge ends of these spouts being centralized longitudinally of the machine, asshown in higsJl and 2, and spaced at substantially equal distances from each other in order that the boxes tobe tilled. therw by may be delivered in position, spaced at equal. distances, and in a single series.

For the purpose of operating the lam-transferring apparatus I have illustrated at M and M a pair of electric meters, from which pass bolts 12 and 12 tosuitable intermediate moehanism for driving the several box-feeders. In the present instance the driving-belt from the motor hi. passes around a pulley l journahnl in the lower end of a ban r tt, depending from the table 8, the shaft on which this mlle Y is nn'nln'ted 'liavine' thereon a l'lO which the feed-belt 2 is adapted to travel.

meshing with a worm-gear 15, carried by a vertical shaft 16, mounted in a bearing 17 on said table 8 and carrying at its upper end a rotary driven member or pulley 18, around A second substantially similarly mounted pulley is shown at 18, around which said feedbelt passes at the other end of the table 8. The feed-belt 2 of the box-feeder A may be mounted in a similar manner on pulleys 19 and 19, carried by corresponding vertical shafts or studs, and these feed-belts are connected for movement in unison, so as to be simultaneouslyoperative, a driving-belt being 'shownat 20 for this purpose, this belt connecting the two box-feeders and being carried around a pair of pulleys 21 and 22.

The driving-belt 12, by means of which the box-shifting feeder is operated, is carried in this instance around a large pulley 23, journalcd for rotation in bearings 24, rising from the base i of the machine, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3,) and the movement of this pulley 23 is transmitted by means of a small pulley 25 to a belt 26, passing around a pulley 27, journaled for rotation in brackets 28, depending from the under side of the table 8. The pulley 27 is secured to one end of the shaft 29 of afeeder-earrying cylinder or roll 29, on which the boxshifting feeder is supported, and this last-men tioned feeder passing around a corresponding cylinder 30, journaled in like manner at the opposite side of the table 8. These two cylinders may support the belt 3 of the box-shifting feeder S, so that the upper run thereof will be approximately flush with the face of the table 8, which table has a large rectangular opening therein, as shown at S, Fig. 3, for the purpose of permitting the boxshifting feeder to form a support for the box to be moved thereby. It will be noticed that both of the two simultaneously operative box advancing feeders are supported at a suitable distance above the box-shifting feeder, and these two box-advancing feeders are not intended in this instance to support any of the boxes, but merely to actuate them.

It will be seen, of course, that the actuating means just described for operating the two box-advancing feeders and the single boxshifting feeder may be Varied at will and also the number of box-feeders employed, and hence I do not limit myself to the particular construction of the driving means and intermediate connections or to the number of feed ers employed.

For the purpose of actuating the boxes continuously and moving the empty boxes into position to be filled and shifting the filled boxes out of the way each of the several box-feeders will preferably embody suitable means for positively spacing and engaging the boxes, whether filled or empty, so as to space these boxes at regular intervals and shift them into place while so spaced. Hence each of the feeders preferably embodies as a 1 part thereof suitable box-spacin g and box-actuating members or fingers projecting therefrom and of such size and so positioned as to control properly a box of any dimensions for which the machine may be designed.

The box spacing or actuating members or fingers of the two box-advancing feeders A and A are substantially similar in construction, and these box-actuating members form a circuit around each belt, the projecting members of the belt 2 being designated herein by 35 and the corresponding members of the belt 2 being indicated by 35. It will be noticed that each of these projecting members or fingers is considerably longer than the transverse dimension of the box or boxes to be handled and that said fingers are spaced at intervals slightly greater than the width of each box in order to permit freedom of action. Moreover,the two box-advancing feeders are disposed substantially in parallelism with each other, and the inner ends of the box-actuating members projecting from their adjacent working runs are disposed at inter vals greater than the width of the boxes to be handled, thus forming between the two feeders a space in which a box or row of boxes may be supported upon the box shifting feeder while the box-advancing feeders are operative-without moving the boxes of such intermediate row, it being obvious, of course, that the box or row of boxes engaged by the projecting actuating members of the two feed-belts 2 and 2 would be advanced during such time.

The box-spacing members or fingers of the box-shifting feeder are disposed at substantially the same intervals as the corresponding members projecting from the feed-belts 2 and 2; but the members projecting from the feed belt 3 are relatively long and project only a slight distance from the surface of the feeder, as they are primarily spacers and not actuators. These projecting members of the belt 3 are designated by 36 and are clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Preferably they will extend from side to side of the wide box-shifting feed-belt 3, the width of which will of course be dependent upon the size and number of the boxes to be filled at a single operation of the apparatus. Of course this boxshifting feed-belt will be also of relatively great width as compared with the width of the belts 2 and 2.

Without describing in detail at this point the complete cycle of movements of the several parts of this machine it may be stated in a general way that two box-advancing feeders are intended to operate in unison, the former to carry the empty buckets under the discharge-spouts of the weighing-machines and the latter to carry off a row of previouslyfilled boxes. As soon as the row of empty boxes is in place the advancing movement of the two feeders A and A will be stopped, the stopping of this movement being preferably controlled by such movement of one of the box-feeders. At th's point the box-shifting feeder should begin to operate, its operation being preferably controlled by such stopping of the other feeders or box-advancing means, and the box-shifting feeder should carry the row of empty boxes into the intermediate position, (shown in Fig. 3,) whereupon the further movement of this shifting or transferring feeder should also be stopped, this stopping of the box-shifting feed-belt being effected advantageously by one of a row of previously filled boxesviz., the row shown in Fig. lhet\veen the spacing actuating members of the box-advancing feeder A. Immediately on the stopping of the movement of the box-shifting feeder the several loads will be discharged from the weighing-machines i if the loads therein have been completed, but if the operation of the machines for male ing up these loads is not quite finished. the load-dischargers thereof of course should not be actuated prematurely, or if the loads in the weighing-maehines are entirely made up before the row of empty boxes is properly positioned by the box-shifting :fccder in. such case also the load-disehargers should not be operated n'ematurely. "When the empty boxes of this row are properly positioned sidewise to receive their contents, the movement of the box-shifting feeder may be stopped and the b r x-advancing means started again to ad vance another row of empty boxes and also the boxes of the previously-filled row. At the end. of such advancing movement the box-advancing means will be stopped again and the intermediate row of boxes, which will have been filled in the meantime by the several weighing-machines or box-lilling means, may be transferred by the box-shifting feeder from such intermedi' ate position into the path of movement of the second box-advancing feeder A, the first of these two disconnected shifting movements imparted to this row of boxes serving to transfersuch boxes from one box-advancing feeder to a position out of the range of action of such feeder, while the next sidewise move ment carries these boxes into the path of movement of the other feeder.

The movements of the box-advancing and box-shifting feeding means and the discln'irging movements of the load-dischargers of the box-filling means should be positively-controlled, and in this case the box-shifting means and the box-advancing feeding means are controlled in their movements each by the other, one of them serving also to govern the release of the load-dischargers for filling the empty boxes. Preferably the movements of these two feeding means will be regulated by feed-controlling means governed by the proper positioning of the empty and filled boxes in their different movements, and such feed-controlling means may embody two or more mutually-depcndent or interdependent blocking devices :for nreventing premature movement of the box-feeders and also premature discharge of any one or more of the load-dischargers of the box-filling means.

In the drawings of the present application the blocking devices 'illustrz'ttcd are in the form of circuitcontrollers included in electrio circuits, by means of which all. of the operations just described are governed, and these circuit-coi'itrollers may be arranged so as to coact in groups controlling conjointly certain operations of the apparatus. For instance, the load-poising means of ihe several weigliinganacliines may have each a circuitcontroller which will operate only when the load is properly poised, and will prevent not only the discharge of the load of its own machine but also of all of the others until it is actuated the proper distance corresponding to the movement of its peising means from a normal idle position to a poised position. Suitable eircuit-controllers may also be cmploycd in connection with this series for preventing such discharging movements of the several. load-disehargers until. all of the boxes of a row are properly located under the discharge-spouts, these circuit-controllers being governed advantageeusly by the boxes themselves in such a manner that if any box is lacking or is out of position in any way the box-filling means therefor, or all of the dil ferentbox-fillingmeans, may have its or their discharging movements blocked until such boxes are properly positioned. llloreover .I: may make use of additional circuit-controllers governed, respectively, by the box advancing or box-shifting movements of the two box-feeding means, and preferably di rectly by the movements of the boxes them selves, for dettnrmining when the feeding means for effecting the advancing and shifting movements of the boxes shall begin opcrating, and for controlling, conjointly with the several circuitermtrollers governed. by the different poising means and by the positioning of the boxes under the disclmrge spouts, the loznl-discharging movements of the box-filling means.

Although the several controlling devices of this apparatus may be connected in various ways in differentelectric circuits, the manner in which the different parts are wired in the construction illustrated in the drawings of this application is deemed most desirable for the apparatus illustrated therein.

The two motors M and M, which control, res] ectively, the box advancing and boxshifting movements of the respective feeding means, are connected in this case in parallel of the main conductors 50 and 5!, as will be obvious by reference to lfig. Z3, and each of these motors may be en t into and out of circuit by the switch-arm of a rheostat, which switch-arm may be controlled automatically in a manner that will be described more particularly hereinalj'ter.

The two rheostats may be of any suitable construction-su,ch, for i nstanee, as shown at R and R.-the switches therefor being dcsignated b 52 and 52 these switches bein automatic in their action and controlled, preferably, by means of a pair of solenoids, such as s and 5, included in electric circuits governed by the movements of the box-feeding means.

In the construction illustrated one terminal of the solenoid s is connected by means of a conductor 53 to an insulated contact-arm 5% on the end of the last discharge-spout 10 of the series shown, while the corresponding terminal of the other solenoid s is connected by a conductor 53 to a second insulated contact member 54, also carried by said discharge spout. The other terminal of the solenoid s is connected by means of conductor 55 with one side of a suitable battery or other source of energy, such as I), while the corresponding terminal of the solenoid s is connected by means of a conductor 55 with a contact member on the framework of one of the weighing-machines, with which contact a circuit-controller or circuit-closing arm, such as 57, is adapted to make contact, this circuit-controller being movable with and preferably carried by the poising means of one of the box-filling machines. This circuit-controller and its contact member are illustrated clearly in detail in Figs. 6 and 7, and all of the machines have similar circuitcontrollers, one for each machine, said circuit-controllers and their contact members being preferably connected in series in a single circuit with the same side of the battery I) as that with which the conductor is connected, as will be clear by referring to Fig. 2. As all of these circuit-controllers are substantially identical in construction and operation, a description of one is deemed sufficient for all, it being apparent, of course, that so long as a single weighing mechanism remains unpoised the circuit in which these devices are included will remain open. The other side of the battery Z) is connected by a conductor 58 with circuit-controlling means cooperative with the two contact members 54: and 5a. In the present case this circuit-controlling means, which is illustrated clearly in detail in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, is in the nature of an arm secured to and insulated from the last discharge-spout 10, said circuit-controlling means being designated in a general way by c and having a pair of oppositelyprojecting arms 60 and 01, adapted to make contact, respectively, with the contact-makers 5i and 5t. This circuit-controller is governed by the movements of the box-advancing and box-shifting feeders and is actuated in one direction preferably by direct engagement of a box therewith, it being understood that it may be reactive to its normal position to close the circuit controlled, for instance, by the contact member 54. For the purpose of operating it this circuit-controller has an insulated operating-arm 62 below the circuit-controlling arms thereof and projecting into the path of movement of the upper edge of the foremost box of a series, so as to be shiftable by such box. This operatingarm 62 is of considerable length in order to permit the box to .remain in engagement therewith until such box arrives at its intermediate position between the two box-ad vaneing feeders, whereupon said circuit-controller will be released and will return automatically to its normal position for closing the circuit through contact 54. It will be noticed that this circuit-controller governs two circuits, including, respectively, the contacts 54 and 54, and that the two solenoids s and s will be energized alternately and the motors M and M correspondingly operated to cause the box-advancing feeders to move alternately with the box-shifting feeder.

For the purpose of operating the load-dischargers of the several filling means, which load-dischargers are indicated herein byZ and are releasable for permitting efflux of the contents of the several load-receivers, such as g, of the weighing-machines, I prefer to make use of an electrically-operated latch-tripper, such as the electromagnet t, cooperative with a latch, such as 82, of any suitable construction, which in turn may engage directly with a load-discharger Z, or indirectly, in the manner shown herein, and which will be readily understood from the drawings in this case and by reference to prior patents granted to me. These latch-trippers may be included in a normally open circuit or circuits, the closingof which should be blocked until the loads in the receivers of the weighing-machines are completed and said receivers brought to the poising-line, and said circuit or circuits should also remain open until the boxes are in their proper positions under the dischargespouts 10 and 10. Hence it will be apparent that the energization of the electromagnets constituting the latch-trippers t should be dependent upon the prior weighing of the exact predetermined amount of material to be discharged into the box and also upon the proper positioning of such box under the discharge-spout that is intended to fill the same. I have therefore provided, in connection with these latch-trippers, electrical circuit-controllers governed by the individual boxes of the row to be filled in addition to the circuitcontrollers 57, controlled by the poisin g means or beam mechanisms of the weighingmachines and hcreinbefore described. The circuit-controllers governed by the positioning of these boxes are shown in detail in Figs. at and 5 and are designated in a general way by c. In the construction shown herein each comprises a pair of contact members n1ount ed in some suitable manneras, for instance, on the discharge-spouts 10 and 10, and insulated from such spouts and from each other. The fixed member of each circuit-controller is in the form of a contact-arm, such as 65, and the movable member is a yielding circuitcloser or circuit-controlling member, such as that shown at 66. Both of the arms 65 and (56 are bent at such an angle as to yield during the movement of the box-shifting feeder and permit the proper box to engage the corresponding arm (50 to carry the same into contact with the arm 65, as shown in Fig. 5, to thereby close the circuit at that point. Insulation may be advantageously applied to the movable circuit-controlling arms 06 at the points 66, where said arms are engaged by the boxes. it will be clear now that when a row of boxes is shifted sidewise by the feeder A into position to be filled by the spouts 10 and 10 these boxes will not close the normally open breaks at the circuit-controllers (2 unless the box s are properly positioned, and hence it any box is lacking or is im properly positioned on the box-shitting feeder the non-closing of the circuit controlled by such box may form a means for preventing the discharge not only ol the contents of the weighing-machine corresponding thereto, bu t oi." all the other machines as well.

For the purpose of controlling the apparatus with even greater certainty I prefer to employ, in connection with the circuit-controllers ust described, an additional blocking device or circuit-controller governing the discharging movements of the load-dischargers of all of the weighing-machines and included in a single circuit with the two series of circuit-controllers just described in connection with the poising means and the boxes of the row to be filled. This additional circuit-controller is designated herein by c and may be of any suitable type, so long as it is positioned in such a manner as to be controlled by the sidewise movement of a series oi. laterally-shi[ted previeuslyfilled boxes, and this circuit-controller, as well as that shown at 0, should be so positioned as to term not only a (5iI'Otllt-0Ol1t1'0ll01', but also a boxstop for limiting the sidewise movement of a row of lilled boxes in the same manner as the circu it-controllcr c limits the advancing movement of a row of empty boxes. in the pres ent instance the circuit-controller c comprises a pair of yielding arms, such as (37 and US, which may be secured to the first spout l0, and the arm 08 or Cll'Clllii-COl'lblOllOl' preterablyhas insulated material at (38 at the point where the side of the box engages it. The yielding contactarm 67 is connected by means of a conductor US) with one of the latch'trippers t, while the cont-act-arn'l (58 is connected by the conductor with the contact member 65 of the first circuit-controller c. All of these circuit-controllers c, the circuit controllers c, and the cireuitcontrol lers 57 of the poising means, as well as the latchtrippers I, will preferably be connected in series in a single circuit, as will be clear by referring to Figs. 11. to 15, inclusive. It will be seen, therefore, thatthe latch-trippers cannot be energized until all of the breaks in the circuits are closed, although, so far as the release of the latches is concerned, the order in which these breaks are closed is immaterial, thus rcndering it possible for the dillferent weighing-machines to come to a poise separately and independently of oneanother and for the breaks spanned by the circuitcontrollers c to be closed in any order.

The operation oi a machine (fitlllShl'tlOtOtl in. accordance with my present invention as em bodied in the apparatus shown in this application is as follows: Itbeingundorstoml that the parts are in their normal positions tor the beginning of a cycle of operations, with the valves wide open to deliver material to the load-receivers g of the weighing-machines from some suitable source oi. supply-such, for example, as a common hopper l[-that the load-dischargers t are latched shut by the latches S2, and that circuits are broken at 57 and 54, it will be seen that a circuit is closed from the battery I) through conductor 58, (see Fig. 2,) contact-arm (5], contact 5-1;, conductor 5 solenoid s, and conductor 55, provided some handopcrated switch, such as S, is in its circuit-closing position. The closing ol' this circuit by causii'lg the energization ol' the solenoid s el'l'ects the shitting ol' the switch 5); to the positio shown in Fig. '13 to cut out the resistance-coils ol' the rhcostat ll; and start the motor M, whtn'eupmi the two box'advane ing feeders will begin their traveling movements. This is the condititni oi the apparatus at the beginning of each cyeleot' movements, and it will be assumed. that the machine is at the beginning of a new cycle olf movements after having lilled two or more rows of boxes, as shown, for example, in Figs. .3 and 11.

As soon as the box-advancing feeders commence to operate a row ol empty boxes (dos ignatcd herein by 1") will be advanced by the belt 53 toward the circuitcontroller c, it being umlerstoml, of course, that the empty boxes may he lied into the path of movement oi. the box-feeder A in any suitable manner, either by hand or by mechanism. When the boxes T have been advanced to a sullicient distance, the foremost one of the row will come into contact with the depending arm 62 of the circuit-controller and the latter will be shil'ted to break the circuit at St and make contact at 51-, whereupon, of course, the solenoid s, being deenergized, will return to its idle po sition, throwing the coils of the rheostat it into circuit and causing the stopping of the motor ill, and hence stopping the advance oi. the feeders A and A. llluring the advancing n'iovement of this row of empty boxes the load-receivers g of the weighing-machines will of course be filling up by the delivery oli material thereinto, and each ot' these wcighing-maehines will operate indepemlcutly oi the others ordinarily, so far as the making up o't' its load is concerned. The loads inv these receivers may be completed and the beam mechanisms may come to a poise and close the circuits controlled by the contact-arms 57 either in advance of the breaking oi." the circuit at 5 t and the making of the opposite circuit at 54 or else after the stopping of the motor M by the breaking of the circuit through the solenoid .9. These two conditions of the controlling devices of the system are shown in Figs. 12 and 13, respectively, from the former of which it will be evident that the boxes have reached the end of their advancing movement prior to the poising of the weighing-machines, while it will be clear that in the condition of the controlling means shown in Fig. 13 the poising of the several weighing mechanisms has been completed before the arrival of the row of empty boxes 0 at the end of the first stage of their advancing movement.

As soon as the circuit is closed at 54' and all of the normally open breaks controlled by the contact-arms 57 are closed a circuit will be completed from the battery through conductor 58, contact-arm 62, contact 54, solenoid s, conductor 55, and beam-controlled contacts 57 back to the battery I), as will be evident by referring to Fig. 14. \Vhen this circuit is closed, the motor M will be started in a manner similar to that just described with reference to the motor M, and the boxshifting feeder S will begin to operate and will continue its movement until the row of empty boxes 0- is clear of the arm 62 and in a substantially central position between the two box-advancin g feeders, whereupon the circuit-controller 0 will break contact at 54 and, returning to its normal position, make contact again at 54. (See Fig. 15.) When the circuit at 54 is thus broken and the circuit at 54 reestablished, the motor M will of course be thrown out of operation and the box-shifting belt stopped, while the motor M will be started again to cause the two feeders A and A to operate, the former to advance another row of empty boxes and the latter to feed off the row of filled boxes 7*. Just before this action and immediately upon the making of the circuit by the circuit-controller 0, due to contact of the last-filled box of the row 1 with the circuit-making arm 68, a circuit should be closed for releasing the load-dischargers if all of the boxes of the row to be filled are in their proper positions and all of the breaks controlled by the arms 57 are closed, as illustrated in Fig. 15. If, however, there is a single break in this circuit, the loads made up by the weighing-machines will not be discharged, and when the box shiftin g feeder begins to operate again only a row of empty boxes will be carried away from the dischargespouts of the weighing-machines. If, however, all of the box-controlled and beam-controlled breaks are properly closed, a circuit will be completed from the battery I) through the conductors 58 and 58 and through the electromagnets or latchtrippers tto conductor 69, circuit-controller c", conductor 70, through the box-controlled circuit-closers c to conductor to conductor 55, and through the beam-controlled circuit-closer contacts 56 and 57 and conductor 70 back to the battery I), whereupon all of the latch-trippers twill be energized, the latches controlled thereby tripped, and the loads made up by the several weighing-machines discharged from the spouts 10 and 10 into the empty boxes located thereunder. The circuit last traced is broken as soon as any one of the beam mech anisms returns to its normal position, and of course the load-dischargers will be latched shut again by the latches 82 in the usual manner, the valves which are closed on the making up of the several loads being reopened on the rising of the load-receivers with the poising mechanisms.

The advancing movements of the two feeders A and A, controlled by the making of the circuit at the contact 54, will continue until a new row of boxes advanced to the limit of its forward movement causes the breaking of the circuit at 54 and the making of the circuit at 54, whereupon the row of boxes just filled will be shifted sidewise into the path of movement of the box-actuating members of the feeder A, to be carried away by said lastmentioned feeder when the latter begins to move again, these last-mentioned operations being substantially the same as those illus trated in Figs. 14 and 15. Hence a complete cycle of operations of the different parts for the purpose of positioning the row of empty boxes and for filling these boxes and subsequently carrying the filled boxes away involves practically two complete cycles of operation of the controlling devices hereinbefore described, owing to the fact that in a machine illustrated herein a row of empty boxes is first advanced, then moved sidewise and stopped and held stationary, while another row of empty boxes and a row of previously-filled boxes are advanced, then shifted sidewise again when filled, and finally advanced to carry them away from the machine.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with automatically-operative intermittentlydischarging boxfilling means,of a box-advancing feeder; a box-shifting feeder movable transversely to the boxadvancing feeder, one of said feeders being intermittently operative; and automatic feederactuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the dischargeof the box-filling means.

2. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with automatically-operative intermittentlydischarging boxfilling means, of intermittently-operative box-advancing and box-shifting feeders movable transversely to each other; and automatic feeder actuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the boxfilling means.

In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with antomatically-operative intermittently-discharging box-filling means, of alternately-operative box-advanc- IIO ing aml box-shifting feeders movable transversely to each other; and automatic feederactuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means.

-f. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with auton1atically-operative intermittentlydischarging box filling means, of intermittently and alternately operative box-advancing and box-shifting feeders movable transversely to each other, and automatic feeder-actuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means.

In abox fillingandtransferring machine, the combination, with antoniatically-operative and intermittei'itly-discharging box-filling means, of traveling box-feeders movable in different directions, and automatic feederactuating mechanism 'f.'oro1 )erating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means' 13. In a box fillingand transferring machine, the combination with automatically-operative intermittcntly-discharging box-filling means, of endless traveling box-feeders movable in different directions, and automatic feeder-actuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the boxfilling means.

7. In abox'fillingand transferringmachine, the combination, with antomatically-operative intermittentlydiseharging boxfilling means, of a traveling box-advancing feeder; a travelingbox-shiff ing feeder movable transversely relatively to the box advancing feeder; and automatic feeder-actuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-lilling means.

8. In aboxfillingandtransferringmachine, the combination, with auton'latically-operative intermittently discharging box filling means, of a traveling box-advancing feeder; a traveling box supporting and shifting feeder, and automatic feeder-actuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means.

6). Ina box fillingand transferring machine, the combination, with automatically-operative intermittently-discharging box-filling means, of a box-advancing feed-belt; a box snpportil'ig and shifting feed-belt movable transversely to the box-advancing feed-belt; and automatic feeder-actuating mechanism for operating said feed-bolts to move a box to its load=reeeiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means.

10. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with auton'iaticallyoperative intermittently-discharging box-filling means, of traveling box-advancing and cor/ace box-shifting feeders, one of which feeders constitutes a box-support, and the other of which feeders has box-actuating members projecting therefrom, and an tomatic feederaetuating mechanism for operating said. feed ers to move a box to its lozulreceiving positionbefore the discharge of the box-filling means.

11. In a box :filling and transferring ma chine, the combination, with antoim'itically- Operative intermittently-dischargingbox-filling means, of box-advancing and box-shi fting feed-belts, one of "which belts constitutes a box-support, and the other of which belts has a circuit of box-actuating members project ing therefrom, and autonnttic feeder-actiuiting mechanism for operating said feed-belts to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means.

12. In a box filling and imansf'erring machine, the combination, with automaticallyoperative intermittently-diseharging box-filling means, of box-advancing and box-shi fting feed-belts, one of which feed-bells constitutes a box-support, and the other of which belts has a circuit of equidistant actuating members projecting therefrom, and automatic feederactuating mechanism for opcn-at-ing said feed-belts to move a box to its load-rcceiving position before the disclu'irgc of the box-filling means.

13. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with autonutticallyoperative intermittentl v-discharging box-fill ing means, of box-advancing and box-shifting feed-belts, one of which belts constitutes a box-support, and each of \vhiel1lj elfs has a circuit of box-spacing members projecting therefrom, and automatic feeder-actuating mechanism. .for operating said feed-belt to move'a box to its lozul-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means.

i i. In a box filling and transferring lllft" chine, the combination, with automaticallyoperative intermittently-diseharging box-filling means, of box-advancing and box-shifting feed-belts, one of which belts constitutes abox-snp iaort, and each of which belts has a circuit of: equidistant boxspacing members projecting lJllOl'OflOll'l, and mitomatic feederactuating mechanism for operating said fecd belts to move a box to its lozul-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means.

15. In a box filling and trz'insferring machine, the combination, nith antomaticallyoperative intermittently-d ischarging box-ii l ling means, of a pair of separated box-advancing feeders; a box-shifting feeder movable in a different direction from the box-advancing feeders; and :nitoimitic feeder-actnating mechanism for operating said. feeders to move a box to its loznl-receiving position before the fllSCll'll'jl'G of the boasfillingmeans, and to remove said box.

if Ina box :[illii'ig and transferring machine, the combinathm, with automatical|yoperative intermittently-dischargin g box-fill ing means, of apairof separated box-advancing feeders; a box-shifting feeder movable between, and transversely to, said box-advancing feeders for transferring a box from one to the other of such box-advancin g feeders; and automatic feeder-actuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means, and to remove said box.

17. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with automaticallyoperative interm ittentl y-dischargin g boxfilling means, of a pair of separated box-advancing feeders movable in the same direction; a box-shifting feeder movable in a dif ferent direction; and automatic feeder-actuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means, and to remove said box.

18. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with automaticallyoperative intermittently-discharging box-filling means, of a pair of simultaneously-open ative separated box-advancing feeders; a boxshifting feeder movable in a different direction from the box-advancing feeders, and automatic feeder-actuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its loadreceiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means, and to remove said box.

19. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, With automaticallyoperative intermittently-dischargin g box-filling means, of a pair of separated box-advancing feeders; a box-shifting feeder movable in a different direction and operative alternately with said box-advancing feeders; and auto-' matic feeder-actuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its loadreceiving posit-ion before the discharge of the box-filling means, and to remove said box.

20. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with automaticallyoperative'intermittently-dischargin g box-filling means, of a pair of separated box-advancing feeders simultaneously and intermittently operative; an intermittently-operative boxshifting feeder operative alternately with said box-advancing feeders; and automatic feederactuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-filling means, and to remove said box.

21. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with automaticallyoperative intermittently-discharging box-filling means, of a pair of simultaneously-operative separated box-ad vancing feed-belts each having a circuit of box-actuating members projecting therefrom, said feed-belts having an interval between the ends of the box-actuating members of their Working runs greater than the width of the box controlled thereby; a box-shifti n g feed-belt movable transversely to the box-advancingfeed-belts and operative alternately therewith; and automatic feed eractuating mechanism for operating said feeders to move a box to its load-receiving position before the discharge of the box-fillin g means, and to remove said box.

22. In a box filling and transferring machine,the combinatiomwith box-fillin g means embodying a load-discharger, of a box-advancing feeder, and a box -shifting feeder movable in a different direction and controlling the load-discharging movement of said load-discharger.

In a box filling and transferring machine,thecombination,with box-filling means, ofapairofbox-feeders; box-controlled feeder starting means governed by one of said feeders; and box-controlled feeder-stopping means governed by the other of said feeders.

24. In a box filling and transferring machine,the combination,\vith box-fillin g means, of a boxadvancing feeder; a boxshifting feeder movable transversely to the box-advancing feeder; feeder-stopping means governed by the movement of the box-advancing feeder and operative for stopping the latter; and feedenstarting means'governed by the movement of the box-shifting feeder and operative for starting the boxadvancing feeder.

25. In a box filling and transferring machine,the combination with box-filling means, of a box-advancing feeder; a box-shifting feeder movable transversely to the box-advancing feeder and operative alternately therewith; and box-controlled feeder starting and stopping means controlling the starting and the stopping of both of said feeders.

26. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with a plurality of box-filling means, each embodying a load-discharger, of box-advancing'feeding means operative for advancing a' plurality of boxes into position to be filled, one by each boxfilling means; and a plurality of box-controlled load-discharger-controlling blocking devices, one for each box, for preventing the discharging movement of a load-discharger when the box corresponding thereto is not properly positioned.

27. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with a plurality of box-filling means, each embodyinga load-discharger, of box-advancing feeding means operative foradvancingaplurality of boxes into position to be filled, one by each box-filling means; and a plurality of interdependent boxcontrolled load-discharger-controlling blocking devices, one for each box, for preventing the discharging movement of each of said load-dischargers until all of the boxes-are properly positioned.

28. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combinatiomwith box-fillin g means embodying a load-discharger,of abox-ad vaneing feeder; a box-shifting feeder movable transversely to the box-advancing feeder; and a pair of mritually-dependent load-discharger controlling blocking devices controlled, respectively, by said respective feeders and controlling the discharging movement of said load-discharger.

2!). In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with a plurality of box-filling means, each embodying a load-discharger, of alternately-operative box-ad\anc- .ingand box-shi fting feeding means operative, respectively, for advancing a plurality of boxes into position to be filled, one by each box-filling means, and for snbsequentlyshifting said boxes sidewise; and. a plurality of interdependent load-discharger-controlling blocking devices for preventing the premature discharge of: said load-dischargers and embodyinga series of box-controlled blocking devices, one for each box, and controlled by the advancing mo vcment thereof, and a blocking device controlled by the sidewise movement of the box-shifting feeding means.

3b. In a box filling and transferring machine,thecombination,withbox-fillingmeans embodyingload-poisingmeansandaload-discharger, of a box-feeder, and mutually-dependent load-d iSClH'tl'g'OT-COHtl'Olli11g blocki ng devices controlled, respectively, by the loadpoising means and the box-feeder for preventing premature discharge of the load-dis charger.

$3 In a box filling and transferring machine,thecombination,Withbox-fillingmeans embodyingload-poising means and aload-discharger, of a box-advancing feeder; a boxshifting feeder movable transversely to the box-:ulvancing feeder; and llltGltlOPGlltiOllii load-dischargercontrolling blocking devices controlled, respectively, by the load-poising means, the box-advancing feeder, and. the box-shi fting feeder, for preventing premature discharge of the loml-discharger.

32. In a box filling and trai'isferring ma chine, the combination, with automaticallyoperative box-filling mechanism embodying streamsupplying means and stream-controlling means for feedinga predetermined load, and also embodying a load-discharger shiftable for deliveringsuch load teabox, of electrically-controlled box-feeding means oper able for feeding a box in different directions, and automatic electrical circuit-eontrolllng means governingsnch movement of the boxfeeding means.

5.33. In a box filling and transfm-ring machine,the combination, with box-filling means of a pairof. electrically-eontrolled box-feeders movable in different directions and each controlling the movements of the other, and automatic electrical circnit-controlling means controlled by said respective box-feeders.

311-. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combinaticm, with boxfilling means, of a pair of electrically-eon trolled boxfeeders movable in different directions, and each controlling the stopping of its own m ovement and the starting of the other in operation.

35. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with auf'omaticallyoperative box-filling mcijehaninm embodying stream-nupplying means and stream-controlling means fonl'eediug a predetermined load, and also embodying a load-discharger shift able for delivering such load, to a box, of a pair of electrically-contr 'illed box-feeders movable in dif'fi'erent directiiims; a pair of. electric circuits controlling such box-feinlorsg and. automatic electricz'il circuit-controlling means for opening and closing said circuits alternately.

36. In a box filling and transferring machine, ihe combination, with boxfilling means, of an electrically-controlled box-nib vaneing feeder; an electrieally-ermtrollcd box-shifting feeder movable transversely to, and operable alternzitely with, the box-advancingfeeder; and a box-operated electrical circnit-controllei. governing the movements of said feeders and shiftable in one direction by the advancing box and shiftable in the other direction on the shifting of. the box.

37. In a box. filling and transferring ma chine, the combi1n|tion,\vith box-lilling means embodying beam mechanism and a load-dischargcr, of a boxd'eeder, and a pair of. automatic electrical clrcuit-ci'mtrollers governed, respectively, by the beam mechanism and the box-feeder and controlling ijeonjoinf-ly the discharging movement of said load-discharger.

38. In a box filling and transferring ma chine,thecombination,\vithbox-fillingmeans; emlilodying beam mechanism and a load-dis eln'trger, of a b j)x-feeder, and. an electric circuit having two normally open breaks controlled. by a pair of automatic electrical circuit-controllere govern ed, respoctivcly,by the beam mechanism and the box-fi'zcder and controllingconjointly the dischargingmovement of said loznl-discharger.

3.). In a box filling and. trznisfcrring machine, the combination, with a plurality of box-filling means, each. embodying a load-discharger, of box-advaneing feeding means operative for advancing a plurz'ility of boxes into position to be filled, one by each box-lilling means; and box-operated fjliOtlllftilUStll'r, one for each box, and all included in a single electric circuit controlling the discharging movements of said load-dischargers, whereby each eircuitclosor is adapted to crmtrol the discharge of every loaibdincllarger.

40. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination,witl|,box-fillingmeant; embodying beam mo hani:-m1 and a load-discharger, of a box-'leeder; an automatic clectrical circuitc *n1t|.'ol ler governed by the beam mechanism; and an automatic lmx-operaled. electrical circuit-ciimtroller controlling conjointly with the first-mentioned eir(:uit-controller the discharging movement of the load discharger.

-1l-l. In. a box filling and transferring min chine, the combinz'ttion, with a plnralitg of t) ff:

box-filling means, each embodying beam mechanism and a load-discharger,of box-feeding means; automatic electrical circuit-controllers governed, respectively, by the respective beam mechanisms of said box-filling means; and an automatic electrical circuitcontroller governed by the box-feeding means and controlling con jointly with the other circuit-controllers the discharging movements of said load-dischargers.

42. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, with a plurality of box filling means, each embodying beam mechanism and a load-discharger, of box-advancing feeding means operative for advancing a plurality of boxes into position to be filled, one by each box-filling means; auto matic electrical circuit-controllers governed, respectively, by the respective beam mechanisms of said box-filling means; and box-operated electrical circuit-controllers controlling conjointly with the other circuit-controllers the discharging movements of said loaddischargers.

In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, With box-filling means embodying beam mechanism and a load-discharger, of a box-advancing feeder; a boxshifting feeder movable transversely to the box-advancingfeeder an automatic electrical circuit-controller governed by the beam mechanism; and a pair of electrical circuit-com trollers governed, respectively, by the boxadvancing and box-shifting feeders and conjointly with the first-mentioned circuitcontroller the discharging movement of said load-discharger.

4A. In a box filling and transferring ma chine, the combination, with box-filling means embodying beam mechanism and a loaddischarger, of a box-advancing feeder; a boxshifting feeder movable transversely to the box-advancing feeder; an automatic electrical circuit-controller governed by the beam mechanism; and a pair of box-operated electrical circuit-controllers governed, respectively, by the movements of the box-advancing and boxshifting feeders and controlling conjointly' with the first-mentioned circuit-controller the discharging movement of said load-dis: 5o

charger.

45. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, With a plurality of box-filling means, each embodying beam mechanism and a load-discharger, of box-adbox-operated electrical circuit-controllers,

one for each box to be filled, and governed by the movement of the box-advancing feeding means; and a box-operated electrical circuitcontroller governed by the movement of the box-shifting feeding means and controlling conjointly with the other circuit-controllers the discharging movements of said load-dischargers.

46. In a box filling and transferring ma chine, the combination, With box-fillin g means embodying beam mechanism and a load-discharger, of a box-advancing feeder; a boxshifting feeder movable transversely to the box-advancing feeder; and a pair of automatic electrical circuit-controllers governed,

respectively, by the beam mechanism and the box-advancing feeder and controlling conjointly the starting of the box-shiftin g feeder:

47. In a box filling and transferring machine, the combination, With a plurality of box-filling means, each embodying beam mechanism and a load-discharger, of a box-ad vancing feeder operative for advancing a plurality of boxes into position to be fillcll,

one by each box-filling means; a box-shifting feeder movable transversely to the box-advancing feeder; automatic electrical circuitclosers governed, respectively, by said respective beam mechanisms and included in a normally open circuit; and an automatic 9o electrical circuit-closer governed by the boxadvancingfeede'r and controlling conjointly with the firstmentioned circuit-closers the startin'gof the box-shifting feeder.

FRANCIS II. RICHARDS. jflVitnesses: F. N. CHASE,

JOHN O. Snmnnr. 

